Scene magazine racks have been noticeably empty as publisher Michael Mockler decided to hold its December issue after a social media post alleging inappropriate behavior on Mockler's behalf.(Photo: Erin Udell/Coloradoan)Buy Photo

Mockler denied all allegations in an exclusive interview with the Coloradoan in December. Following the allegations, he ceased print operations of the magazine while keeping its website.

Scene will resume being a printed magazine under Howerton, and will hit streets again Feb. 1, according to the news release.

As part of the sale, Mockler is no longer involved with the magazine, Howerton said.

Blaine Howerton(Photo: Courtesy of Blaine Howerton)

"Mr. Howerton is a consummate journalist and professional,” Mockler said in the news release. “I am grateful to have found such a talented person to carry on the legacy of Scene Magazine for the community."

Howerton said the magazine's name will change slightly to The New Scene Magazine and will focus more on the "heart and soul" of Northern Colorado's arts and entertainment through feature stories.

"The way I look at this is this is a new magazine, with a brand that's been in Fort Collins (for 30 years)," Howerton said.

"We're going to put all that behind us and start from ground zero," he added.

Four former Scene employees will continue on with the magazine under the new ownership. One new employee has been hired.

Scene launched in Fort Collins in the early 1990s.

North Forty News started in 1993 in Laporte. It was purchased by Howerton in June 2017 and is now based in Fort Collins.

Howerton, who has a background in television news, graduated from Colorado State University with a journalism degree in 1997.

"I knew Scene then, obviously, and I knew of the North Forty (News) then," he said. "I never imagined that 20 years later, I'd be back in Fort Collins and actually running them."